Rayne youths were trained for war industries

7:30 PM,
May 25, 2013

Written by

William Thibodeaux
Special to the Advertiser

At a recent French table gathering in Rayne, the National Youth Administration was the subject of conversation. Leo Spaetgens, 92, vividly remembered the NYA buildings, which were located at the corner of The Boulevard and Oak Street where the beautiful, old Bernard-Bertrand House now stands. Back during World War II, everyone had to do their part for the war effort.

"Rayne was no exception, everyone pulled together," said Spaetgens.

City leaders of Rayne were successful in obtaining a youth training center for the area's young men and women. They were trained for work in war production ...